Attachment arrangement

ABSTRACT

An attachment arrangement is provided for attaching together a first and a second structure of a vehicle having a longitudinal extension and a transversal extension together forming a horizontal plane. The arrangement includes a first attachment member adapted to be attached to the first structure and a second attachment member adapted to be attached to the second structure. At least one of the first and second attachment members includes a first attachment panel. The first attachment member further includes a first and a second connection portion. A vehicle including such an arrangement and a method of attaching a first and a second vehicle structure utilizing such an attachment arrangement are also provided.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

The present invention relates to an attachment arrangement for attachingtogether a first and a second structure of a vehicle having alongitudinal extension and a transversal extension together forming ahorizontal plane. The arrangement comprises a first attachment memberadapted to be attached to the first structure and a second attachmentmember adapted to be attached to the second structure. At least one ofthe first and second attachment members comprises a first attachmentpanel. The first attachment member further comprises a first and asecond connection portion.

The present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such anarrangement and method of attaching a first and a second vehiclestructure utilizing such an attachment arrangement.

Trucks, or heavy vehicles, may generally be divided into two mainfields: articulated and rigid trucks. In the field of rigid trucks, thetruck is generally provided with a chassis onto which a body, in whichcargo or equipment may be transported, is mounted. The body may beselected from a variety of suitable bodies and may for instance be: avan body; a wagon-bridge; a tank, or a concrete mixing container.Naturally, in order to obtain a secure mounting of the body onto thechassis, a reliable attachment system is required. One prior artattachment system generally includes a plurality of attachmentarrangements, each arrangement comprising: a first steel plate welded tothe chassis; a second steel plate welded to the body and a boltconnection connecting the two steel plates. If the body of the truck isto be replaced by another body, the bolt connection is firstly loosenedand the first body is lifted off from the chassis. Steel plates are thenwelded onto the second body, the second body is lifted onto the chassisand the steel plates of the chassis are attached to the second body'ssteel plates by means of bolt connections. Should the first body be usedon another truck, the steel plates welded to the first body firstly haveto be removed and new steel plates have to be welded to the first bodyat locations corresponding to the steel plates attached to the chassisof the second truck. As may he realized from the above, mounting and/orreplacement of a body to a chassis of a truck according to the prior artsolution hereinabove is a cumbersome and time-consuming procedure.

In an attempt to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, SE 523 168proposes the use of an attachment system comprising a plurality ofattachment arrangements, each attachment arrangement comprising aconical or spherical tap and a bracket having a correspondingly shapedindentation. The tap is attached to the body and the bracket is attachedto the chassis, or vice versa.

When mounting a body onto a chassis using the '168 attachment system,the body is lowered down to the chassis while the tap of each attachmentarrangement is guided into its corresponding indentation. Thus, the bodyis properly aligned with the chassis during the mounting, assuming thatthe taps and brackets are correctly placed with respect to one another.

However, there are some disadvantages of the '168 attachment system. Forinstance, the system generally requires that the taps and brackets arefixedly attached to the respective part of the vehicle. This fixedattachment may in itself be a cumbersome procedure which often requiresthat the taps and brackets are welded to the respective part of thevehicle. Furthermore, since the function of the '168 attachment systemis dependent on a correct mutual location of each tap and bracket, thesystem does not allow for a general body to be mounted on a generalchassis. Purely by way of example, it is not unlikely that a haulagecontractor uses his own set of mutually placed taps and brackets for thechassis and bodies in his fleet, but it is far from certain that thevehicle body from a second haulage contractor will fit directly onto avehicle chassis of the first contractor. Instead, the body and/orchassis would most likely firstly have to he re-furnished with tapsand/or brackets at correct locations prior to the mounting.

Moreover, there is often a difference in stiffness between the chassisand the body, in particular a difference in torsional stiffness. Assuch, whenever the chassis and/or the body is subjected to loads, forinstance when driving in rough terrain or when taking a sharp corner,there is a risk that either one of the chassis and the body is subjectedto excessive loads due to the stiffness differences between the chassisand the body, unless the connection therebetween allows sonic relativedisplacement between the two components. However, the '168 attachmentsystem is substantially rigid, hence it does not necessarily reduce theloads on the chassis and/or body.

It is desirable to provide an attachment arrangement which is easy toconnect to a chassis and a body, respectively, of a vehicle.

It is desirable to provide an attachment arrangement which permits arelative displacement between a chassis and a body, respectively, of avehicle.

It is desirable to provide an attachment arrangement wherein thestiffness of the arrangement may be adjusted during the procedure ofmounting a body to a chassis.

It is desirable to provide an attachment arrangement which may permitinitial misalignments of the relative location of a chassis and a body,respectively, of a vehicle.

It is desirable to provide an attachment arrangement which may allow fordifferent widths of a chassis and a body, respectively, of a vehicle.

Thus, present invention relates, in an aspect thereof, to an attachmentarrangement for attaching together a first and a second structure of avehicle having a longitudinal extension and a transversal extensiontogether forming a horizontal plane. The arrangement comprises a firstattachment member adapted to be attached to the first structure and asecond attachment member adapted to be attached to the second structure.At least one of the first and second attachment members comprises afirst attachment panel. The first attachment member further comprises afirst and a second connection portion. According to an aspect of theinvention, the first attachment member comprises a recess having arecess edge such that, when the attachment arrangement is in anattachment condition, the first and second attachment members areengaged by means of the first attachment panel such that:

-   -   the recess edge is arranged to abut against at least a portion        of the second attachment member for transferring load between        the first and second attachment members in at least one        direction substantially parallel to the horizontal plane, and    -   the second member is arranged in the recess such that the first        and second connection portions are located on opposite sides of        the second attachment member for transferring load between the        first and second attachment members in a direction substantially        perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

As used herein, the expression “vehicle” encompasses all transport meanswhich are adapted to travel on land and being provided with at least onewheel. Examples of transport means which fall within the abovedefinition of a vehicle includes, but is not limited to, a rigid truckor a trailer.

As such, since the attachment arrangement of the present inventioncomprises a first attachment member with a recess adapted to engage withthe second attachment member, a simple yet robust connection of thefirst and second structure is obtained. In particular, since theconnection between the attachment members is obtained by a mutualengagement rather than by an additional member such as a bolt, theweight of the attachment arrangement may be kept low. Furthermore, theinventive attachment arrangement may be easily inspected visually whenattached to a vehicle. As such, should either one of the first or secondattachment members be worn or even broken during use, such a defect mayeasily be identified by simply looking at the attachment arrangement.

Furthermore, the attachment members may be designed to be relativelylarge, thus allowing a misalignment between the first and secondstructure. In particular, if one attachment arrangement is placed oneach side of the chassis and body assembly, large differences in thewidths of the two components may be allowed while still obtaining anappropriately robust and secure attachment of the body to the chassis.

Moreover, since the first and second attachment members are attached toone another by means of the first attachment panel, the flexibility ofthe first attachment panel may be used for obtaining an attachmentarrangement which permits a relative displacement between e.g. a chassisand a body of a vehicle which in turn may reduce the loads on thechassis and/or body. In other words, the first attachment panel, havinga bending stiffness, may be used as a biasing means in the attachmentarrangement. Additionally, depending on the location of the firstattachment panel in relation to the first or second attachment member,in particular the distance in the vertical direction which direction isperpendicular to the horizontal plane, the stiffness of the attachmentarrangement may easily be adjusted.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a method of attaching afirst and a second structure of a vehicle, utilizing the attachmentarrangement according to the first aspect of the present invention,wherein the method comprises the steps of:

-   -   a) fixedly attaching one of the first or second attachment        members to the first or second structure;    -   b) connecting the first and second attachment members such that        they engage, and    -   c) fixedly attaching the remaining one of the first or second        attachment members to the remaining one of the first or second        structure.

The method above provides for a secure attachment of the first andsecond structures. In particular, should there be a misalignment betweenthe location parallel to the horizontal plane between the first andsecond structures, this misalignment may be accounted for in theattachment arrangement during the attachment method.

In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, thefirst attachment member comprises an attachment portion adapted to beattached to the first structure and the second attachment membercomprises a second attachment portion adapted to be attached to thesecond structure. The preferred embodiment of the second aspect of thepresent invention further comprises the step of selecting an appropriatedistance perpendicular to the horizontal plane between the first andsecond attachment portions in order to obtain a predetermined stiffnessand/or pretension of the attachment arrangement, prior to the step offixedly attaching the remaining one of the first or second attachmentmembers.

This embodiment provides for an efficient way of adjusting the stiffnessof the attachment arrangement. Thus, rather than using differentattachment arrangements for different vehicles, e.g. depending on theexpected loads on each vehicle, the same arrangement may he used forseveral vehicles and the actual stiffness of each attachment arrangementis then adjusted, or tuned, during the attachment procedure of thearrangement. Furthermore, the preferred embodiment of the second aspectof the present invention may also be used for adjusting the pretensionof the attachment arrangement.

In another embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, thefirst attachment member comprises the first attachment panel which inturn comprises an attachment portion adapted to be attached to the firststructure and a flanged portion. The first attachment panel forms afirst angle between the first attachment portion and the first flangedportion when the attachment arrangement is in an un-attached condition.The method further comprises the step of, when the second attachmentmember has been attached to the second structure and the first andsecond attachment members are connected to one another, fixedlyattaching the first attachment member to the first structure by means ofa tightenable connection arrangement, such as a bolt connection. Themethod further comprises the step of tightening the connectionarrangement such that a second angle between the first attachmentportion and the first flanged portion is obtained, which second anglediffers from the first angle, such that the attachment arrangementbecomes stiffened and/or pretensioned.

As such, rather than obtaining a stiffened and/or pretensionedattachment arrangement by adjusting the distance between the attachmentportions of the first and second attachment members, the stiffnessand/or pretension may be adjusted during the tightening of theconnection arrangement, thus utilizing the tightening torque to alsostiffen and/pretension the attachment arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will hereinafter be further explained by means ofnon-limiting examples with reference to the appended figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a rigid truck comprising abody;

FIG. 2 is a schematic end view of the chassis and body frames of theFIG. 1 truck;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the chassis and body frames of theFIG. 1 truck;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of the attachmentarrangement according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of theattachment arrangement according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of theattachment arrangement according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a fourth embodiment of theattachment arrangement according to the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a schematic perspective view of the first attachment memberof a fifth embodiment of the attachment arrangement according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 8B is a schematic perspective view of the fifth embodiment of theattachment arrangement according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the FIG. 6 embodiment of theattachment arrangement, when mounted on the frames of a chassis andbody, respectively;

FIG. 10A is a schematic rear view of the FIG. 6 embodiment of theattachment arrangement, prior to mounting a first attachment portion ofthe attachment arrangement to a first structure, and

FIG. 10B is a schematic perspective view of the FIG. 6 embodiment of theattachment arrangement, once the first attachment portion of theattachment arrangement has been mounted on the first structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will, in the following, be exemplified by embodiments. Itshould however be realized that the embodiments are included in order toexplain principles of the invention and not to limit the scope of theinvention, defined by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates vehicle 10 which is exemplified by arigid truck. A truck is a preferred type of vehicle for which theinventive attachment arrangement is used, but it should however be notedthat the arrangement may also be used for other types of vehicles, suchas trailers. The truck 10 comprises a chassis 12 and a body 14, which inFIG. 1 is exemplified by a van body. The body 14 is attached to thechassis 12 by means of an attachment system comprising a plurality ofattachment arrangements 16. Since FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thetruck 10 showing only one side of thereof, the attachment arrangements16 of only one side of the truck 10 are visible. However, the attachmentsystem generally comprises attachment arrangements 16 arranged on theopposite side of the truck as well. Furthermore, some attachment systemsmay include additional attachment arrangements 16 which are located inthe front and/or rear end of the body 14 (not shown). In FIG. 1 each oneof the attachment arrangements 16 are connecting a body-frame 18 of thebody 14 to a chassis frame 20 of the chassis 12, which is a preferredway of attaching the two structures. Generally, each longitudinal sideof the body frame 18 is attached to the chassis frame 20 by three tofive attachment arrangements 16. Purely by way of example, thelongitudinal distance between two adjacent attachment arrangements 16may be approximately 1 metre. The number of attachment arrangements andthe distance between the arrangements may be adjusted depending interalia on the differences in bending and torsional stiffness of the bodyframe 18 and the chassis frame 20.

FIG. 1 further illustrates that the vehicle 10 has a longitudinaldimension L extending from the rear to the front of the vehicle 10.Furthermore, the vehicle 10 has a transversal dimension T extending fromone side to the other of the vehicle 10 and a vertical dimension V thedirection of which is perpendicular to both the longitudinal L andtransversal T dimensions. The longitudinal L and transversal Ldimensions together form a plane P. If the vehicle 10 is located on ahorizontally extending flat surface, the plane P will extendhorizontally.

The chassis frame 20, as well as the body frame 18, generally comprisestwo longitudinally extending beams (not shown) which generally areconnected to one another by means of a plurality of connection beams(not shown) each one substantially extending in the transversaldimension T.

FIG. 2 illustrates an isolated end view of the chassis frame 20 and thebody frame 18. FIG. 2 further illustrates that the outer width We of thechassis frame 20 may differ from the outer width WB of the body frame18. Thus, an attachment arrangement 16 should preferably be adapted toprovide a secure attachment irrespective of such differences in outerwidths Wc, WB. Furthermore, FIG. 3 illustrates an isolated side view ofthe chassis frame 20 and the body frame 18. As may be gleaned from FIG.3, one side of the body frame 18 is attached to one side of the chassisframe 20 by means of four attachment arrangements 16 and the location ofthe attachment points 19, 21, i.e. the points at which the arrangement16 is attached to the body frame 18 and the chassis frame 20,respectively, may be located at a distance from one another in thelongitudinal dimension L. As such, an attachment arrangement 16 shouldpreferably be adapted to account for longitudinal misalignments as well.

Various embodiments of the attachment arrangement 16 according to thepresent invention will be described hereinbelow. A general feature ofall the embodiments is that they are adapted to attach first and asecond structure of a vehicle 10. In the embodiments below, the bodyframe 18 is used as an example of the first structure whereas thechassis frame 20 is used as an example of the second structure, althoughthis relationship may of course be reversed so that the body frame 18instead corresponds to the second structure. Should a body frame 18 beattached to a chassis frame 20 by means of an attachment systemcomprising a plurality of attachment arrangements 16 of the presentinvention, the attachment arrangements 16 are preferably located alongthe circumference of the body frame 18 and/or chassis frame 20,Furthermore, it should be realized that the attachment arrangement maybe suitable for attaching other structures of the vehicle 10 than theones mentioned above.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the attachment arrangement 16according to the present invention in an attachment condition. As may begleaned from FIG. 4, the attachment arrangement 16 comprises a firstattachment member 22 adapted to be attached to the first structure, i.e.the body frame 18, and a second attachment member 24 adapted to beattached to the second structure which in FIG. 4 is the chassis frame20. In the FIG. 4 embodiment, the second attachment member 24 isconstituted by a substantially rigid steel plate which is attached tothe chassis frame by means of a weld joint 25, but the second attachmentmember 24 may of course assume other shapes which will be discussed indetail hereinbelow. Purely by way of example, the attachment member 24may in some embodiments be constituted by a rod fixedly attached to thesecond structure.

In FIG. 4, there is a slight gap between the body frame 18 and thechassis frame 20, thus the total load of the body 14 is in the FIG. 4embodiment carried by the attachment arrangement 16. However, the bodyframe 18 generally rests on the chassis frame 20 such that the greaterpart of the loads from the body 14 is transferred to the chassis frame20 through contact forces between the body frame 18 and the chassisframe 20.

The first attachment member 22 comprises a first attachment panel 26. Infact, the attachment member 22 is in the FIG. 4 embodiment actuallyconstituted by the first attachment panel 26. The attachment panel 26 inturn comprises a first attachment portion 28, adapted to be attached tothe first structure 18. In the FIG. 4 embodiment, the attachment portion28 is provided with openings (not shown) such that the attachmentportion 28 may be attached to the first structure 18 by means of a boltconnection 30. The first attachment panel 26 further comprises a firstflanged portion 32, wherein a transition from the first attachmentportion 28 to the first flanged portion 32 occurs in a firstintermediate portion 34. In the FIG. 4 implementation of the firstattachment member 22, the first attachment portion 28 and the firstflanged portion 32 thus form a unitary component which is a preferredimplementation of the first attachment member 22. However, otherimplementations of the first attachment member 22 may comprise aplurality of separate components (not shown), attached to one another byconventional attachment methods such as gluing, welding, bracing,bolting etcetera.

The first flanged portion 32 is provided with a recess 36. In FIG. 4 therecess 36 is exemplified by an opening inscribed in the first flangedportion 32 although other implementations of the recess 36 of course arefeasible.

Purely by way of example, the thickness of the first attachment panel 26is within the range of 4-15 mm, preferably within the range of 6-10 mm.Furthermore; the distance between the first attachment portion 28 andthe recess 36 preferably is in the range of 50-200 mm, preferably withinthe range of 100-150 mm. The first attachment panel 26 is preferablymade of metal such as aluminium or steel, but the first attachment panel26 may also be made of any other material providing appropriate strengthand fatigue properties. Purely by way of example, the first attachmentpanel 26 could in some embodiments of the, present invention be made ofcarbon fibre.

The width, i.e. the extension along the longitudinal dimension L in FIG.4, of the first attachment panel 26 may for example be within the rangeof 100-1000 mm. In particular, should the first attachment portion 28 bewide, for example 500 mm or more, the first attachment portion 28 willactually act as a stiffener to the structure onto which it is attached.As such, in the FIG. 4 embodiment, should the first attachment portion28 be wider than approximately 500 mm, the stiffness, in particular thebending and torsional stiffness, of the body frame 18 will increase.

In the attachment condition illustrated in FIG. 4, the first attachmentpanel 26 and the second attachment member 24 engage. This engagement isin the FIG. 4 embodiment accomplished by the fact that second attachmentmember 24 extends through the recess 36. As such, relative motions inthe longitudinal and vertical dimensions L, V between the first andsecond attachment members 22, 24 are substantially prevented by contactforces built up between the rim, i.e. the edge, of the recess 36 and thesecond attachment member 24. However, it should also be noted that theFIG. 4 attachment arrangement allows some relative motion between thefirst and second attachment members 22, 24 in the transversal dimensionT since the first recess 36 may slide on the second attachment member24. This transversal relative motion may preferably be utilized whenmounting a first and second structure having different widths.

Furthermore, should the portion of the body frame 18 illustrated in FIG.4 move upwardly in relation to the chassis frame 20, for instance if thevehicle 10 takes a sharp corner which results in inertial forces beingimparted on the body 14, the attachment arrangement 16 of the presentinvention may actually allow a certain relative vertical displacement ofthe body frame 18 portion. This is since the first flanged portion 32may be regarded as a cantilever which is attached to the firstattachment portion 28 and to the second attachment member 24 at thelocation of the first recess 36. As such, should the body frame 18portion and hence the first attachment portion 28 move upwardly, thefirst flanged portion 32 will deflect upwardly. However, due to thebending stiffness of the first flanged portion 32, the first attachmentportion 28, and consequently the body frame 18 portion, will be imparteda substantially downwardly extending reaction force. Naturally, thelarger the upward displacement of the first attachment portion 28, thelarger the magnitude of the reaction force. In other words, the firstflanged portion 32 provides for a resilient attachment of the first andsecond structures 18, 20 in a direction substantially perpendicular tothe horizontal plane P defined by the longitudinal and transversaldimensions L, T.

In addition to the upward displacement of the first attachment portion28, the magnitude of the reaction force is dependent inter alia on thebending stiffness of the first attachment panel. 26. In fact, in FIG. 4the magnitude of the reaction force is dependent on the stiffness of thefirst flanged portion 32. The bending stiffness of the first flangedportion 32 is in turn dependent on a plurality of parameters whichincludes, but is not limited to: the material and cross-section of thefirst flanged portion 32 as well as the distance between the firstattachment portion 28 and the first recess 36. As for the just mentioneddistance, the resulting bending stiffness is dependent on the distanceparallel to the horizontal plane P as well as the vertical distancebetween the first attachment portion 28 and the first recess 36. Thedistance parallel to the horizontal plane P is generally set whenmanufacturing the attachment arrangement 16, but the vertical distancemay actually be adjusted when attaching the first attachment member tothe first structure 18. As such, the higher up the first attachmentportion 28 is attached to the first structure 18, the larger the bendingstiffness. Furthermore, should the first attachment portion 28 beattached to the first structure 18 at an elevation such that the firstflanged portion 32 will experience an initial deflection, a pretensionedattachment arrangement 16 is obtained which will not allow any upwardmovement of the first attachment portion 28 unless the force imparted onthe same exceeds the pretension force of the attachment arrangement 16.Naturally, the magnitude of the pretension force is also dependent oninter alia the vertical distance between the first attachment portion 28and the first recess 36.

In the FIG. 4 embodiment of the present invention, only the bendingstiffness of the first flanged portion 32 has been discussed. This issince the bending stiffness of the second attachment member 24 isconsidered to be substantially larger than the bending stiffness of thefirst flanged portion 32 in this embodiment. However, and as indicatedin FIGS. 5-7, the second attachment member 24 may he designed in asimilar manner as the first attachment member 22, thus the secondattachment member 24 may also contribute to the provision of a relativemotion and/or a pretension force between the portions of the body frame18 and the chassis frame 20. As such, the characteristics of the secondattachment member 24 e.g. in terms of material and dimensions maypreferably be similar to the characteristics of the first attachmentpanel 26 discussed above.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate various embodiments of the attachment member 16 ofthe present invention. However, what the embodiments all have in commonis that the second attachment member 24 comprises a second attachmentpanel 38 which in turn comprises a second attachment portion 40, adaptedto be attached to the second structure 20. In the embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 5-7 each one of the second attachment portions 40is provided with openings 41 adapted to receive a bolt connection (notshown). However and as previously indicated, the second attachmentportion 40 may instead be adapted to be attached to the second structure20 by means of other attachment methods which include, but are notlimited to, welding, brazing, gluing etcetera.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 each one of the secondattachment panels 38 further comprises a second flanged portion 42,wherein a transition from the second attachment portion 40 to the secondflanged portion 42 occurs in a second intermediate portion 44.Furthermore, as may be gleaned from any one of FIGS. 5-7, when theattachment arrangement 16 is in an attachment condition, the engagementbetween the first recess 36 and the second attachment member 24 occursbetween the first recess 36 and the second flanged portion 42.

Furthermore, the first attachment panel 26, in each one of FIGS. 5-7,extends in an attachment longitudinal dimension L3 and an attachmentvertical dimension V3, which dimensions form an attachment plane P3.Furthermore, the first attachment panel 26 has an attachment transversaldimension T3 extending substantially perpendicular from the attachmentplane P3.

As may be realized when studying FIGS. 5-7, the first recesses 36 andthe second flanged portions 42 have different designs.

Starting with the FIG. 5 embodiment, the first recess 36 is designed asa first notch extending through approximately half the width of thefirst flanged portion 32 in substantially the attachment longitudinaldimension L3. The second flanged portion 42 has a corresponding secondnotch 46 extending through approximately half the width of the secondflanged portion 42. As such, the engagement between the first and secondflanged portions 32, 42 occurs at the first and second notches 36, 46.As such, during the engagement between the first and second notches 36,46, relative motion between the first and second attachment members 22,24 is prevented in the attachment vertical dimension Va; the attachmenttransversal dimension Ta as well as in a first direction along theattachment longitudinal dimension L3 due to contact forces built upbetween the edges of the first and second notches 36. 46. It shouldhowever be noted that the FIG. 5 embodiment does not prevent relativedisplacement between the first and second attachment members 22, 24 in adirection opposite to the first direction along the attachmentlongitudinal dimension La. As such, an attachment system comprising theattachment arrangement according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5preferably comprises an additional attachment arrangement 16 which isadapted to prevent a relative displacement in the direction opposite tothe first direction. Such an additional arrangement 16 may preferably bean arrangement similar to the FIG. 5 arrangement although the locationsof the first and second notches 36, 46 are switched.

As for the FIG. 6 embodiment, the first recess 36 is designed as arectangular opening inscribed in the first flanged portion 32. Thesecond flanged portion 42 is narrower than the first flanged portion 32and the second flanged portion 42 is designed so as to extend throughthe opening 36 of the first flanged portion. It should be noted that theFIG. 6 embodiment is similar to the FIG. 4 embodiment although thesubstantially rigid FIG. 4 attachment member 22 has been replaced by theFIG. 6 attachment panel 38.

Regarding the FIG. 7 embodiment, the first recess 36 is designed as arectangular opening located at the outer end, i.e. the end distal to thefirst intermediate portion 44, of the first flanged portion 32, suchthat only three sides of the opening 36 are defined by the first flangedportion 32. The outer end 46 of the second flanged portion 42, i.e. theend distal to the second intermediate portion 44, is substantially widerthat the remaining portion of the second flanged portion 42 such that itassumes a T shape wherein the outer end 46 defines an attachmenttransversely extending bar of the T. As such, when the FIG. 7arrangement 16 is in an attachment condition, the bar 46 of the T shapedsecond flanged portion 42 abuts the outer portion of the first flangedportion 32, thus forming an engagement wherein relative motion betweenthe first and second attachment members 22, 24 is prevented in theattachment vertical. dimension V3 and the panel longitudinal extensionLa due to contact forces built up between the edges of the first recess36 and the second flanged portion 42.

As a further general remark for the embodiments of the present inventionillustrated in FIGS. 5-7, the first flanged portion 32 of each one ofthe embodiments may he regarded as comprising a first and a secondconnection portion 48, 50. The first connection portion 48 is locatedproximal to the first intermediate portion 34 and the second connectionportion 50 is located distal to the first intermediate portion 34, alongthe extension of the first flanged portion 32. As may be gleaned fromFIGS. 5-7, the first and second connection portions 48, 50 are locatedon opposite sides of the second flanged portion 42 when the arrangementis in an attachment condition.

FIG. 8A illustrates the first attachment panel 26 of a furtherembodiment of the present invention. As with the FIG. 5-7 embodiments,the first attachment portion 28 extends in an attachment longitudinaldimension L3 and an attachment vertical dimension V3, which dimensionsform an attachment plane P3. Furthermore, the first attachment panel 26has an attachment transversal dimension Ta extending substantiallyperpendicular from the attachment plane P3.

FIG. 8A further illustrates that the first flanged portion 32 comprisestwo connection portions 48, 50 and that the first flanged portion 32 isbent such that the first and second connection portions 48, 50 arelocated at substantially the same distance from the first intermediateportion 34 in the attachment transversal dimension T3. The first flangedportion 32 of the FIG. 8A embodiment further comprises a bridgingportion 52 connecting the first and second connection portions 48, 50.The FIG. 8A bridging portion 52 assumes a substantially semi-circularshape but the bridging portion 52 may of course be designed in any otherway, as long as it provides for the connection portions 48, 50 to belocated at substantially the same distance from the intermediate portion34 and also provides a flexibility in the attachment vertical dimensionV3. FIG. 8A further illustrates that the extension of the bridgingportion 52 in the attachment longitudinal dimension is substantiallysmaller than the extensions of the first and second connection portions48, 50 in the same dimension. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8A1the bridging portion 52 extends from one end of the first and secondconnection portions 48, 50 to approximately the attachment longitudinalL3 centre of the connection portions 48, 50 wherein it terminates in anend surface 54. Thus, as compared to the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 5-7, the end surface 54 in FIG. 8A constitutes the recess edge.

FIG. 8B illustrates an attachment arrangement 16 the first attachmentpanel 26 of which is the attachment panel illustrated in FIG. 8A. Thesecond attachment panel 38 has a design which is similar, preferablyidentical, to the design of the first attachment panel 26 although it isrotated 180° about the attachment transversal dimension Ta prior toengaging with the first attachment panel 26. As such, when the first andsecond attachment panels 26, 38 engage, the first connection portion 48of the first attachment panel 26 abuts the fourth connection portion 56of the second attachment panel 38 whereas the second connection portion50 of the first attachment panel 26 abuts the third connection portion58 of the second attachment panel 38. Due to the flexibility in theattachment vertical dimension Va of the bridging portions 52, 60 of thefirst and second attachment panels 26, 38, an attachment arrangement 16which is resilient in the attachment vertical dimension Va is obtained.

Furthermore, the end surface 54 of the first attachment panel 26 abutsthe end surface 62 of the second attachment panel 38 such that relativemotion between the first and second attachment panels 26, 38 isprevented in one direction in the attachment longitudinal dimension T3as well, since load may be transferred from the attachment panel 26 tothe second attachment panel 38 by their end surfaces 54, 62.

As may be realized when studying FIG. 8A and 8B, the bridging portions52, 60 may be designed in a plurality of ways, as long as they togetherprevent relative motions, i.e. transfer load, between the first andsecond attachment panels 26, 38 in at least one direction in theattachment longitudinal dimension L3. Purely by way of example, thebridging portion 52 of the first attachment panel 26 may extend from thepanel longitudinal centre of the first connection portion 48 to thepanel longitudinal centre of the second connection portion 50 and mayhave a width, i.e. an extension in the attachment longitudinal dimensionT3, which is approximately one third of the width of the firstconnection portion 48. The bridging portion 60 of the second attachmentpanel 38 may in turn be constituted by two bridging components (notshown), each one extending from one end of the third connection portion58 to one end of the fourth connection portion 56 of the secondattachment panel 38. In this manner, an attachment arrangement 16 isobtained which prevents relative motions between the first and secondattachment panels 26, 38 in both directions in the attachmentlongitudinal dimension T3.

As previously been discussed in conjunction with FIG. 4, the stiffnessas well as a possible pretension force of the attachment arrangement 16of the present invention depends inter alia on the vertical distancebetween the first attachment portion 28 and the first recess 36. Shouldthe attachment arrangement 16 comprise two attachment panels 26, 38,each one comprising an attachment portion 28, 40, the stiffness and thepretension force is dependent inter alia on the vertical distancebetween the two attachment portions 28, 40. As such, the stiffness andpretension force of the attachment arrangement 16 may be adjusted insitu when attaching the arrangement 16 to the first and secondstructures 18, 20 of a vehicle 10 using the attachment method accordingto the second aspect of the present invention. How this is done isdescribed in detail hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 9. Theillustration of the attachment method utilizes the FIG. 6 embodiment ofthe present invention, but is should be realized that the inventivemethod may be used for every possible embodiment of the presentinvention.

The first attachment panel 26 of the FIG. 9 attachment arrangement 16 isfixedly attached to a first structure 18 of a vehicle 10 which structurein FIG. 9 is a body frame. The attachment of the first attachment panel26 and the first structure 18 is in FIG. 9 obtained by means of a boltconnection, but other connection methods may of course be used instead,such as e.g. welding, brazing or gluing.

The first attachment panel 26 is engaged with the second attachmentpanel 38 and the second attachment panel 38 is then to be fixedlyattached to the second structure 20 of the vehicle 10 by means of a boltconnection, which structure in FIG. 9 is the chassis frame. Should therebe a difference in width between the first and second structure, i.e.should there be a difference between the two attachment portions 28, 40in the transversal dimension T, this difference is absorbed by theattachment arrangement of the present invention since the first andsecond attachment panels allows some relative displacement in thetransversal dimension while still providing an engagement which preventsrelative motion in other directions.

Prior to attaching the second attachment panel 38 to the secondstructure 18, the location of the attachment portion 40 of the secondattachment panel 38 is firstly adjusted. As such, the second structure20 is provided with a plurality of openings 64 which preferably arearranged in at least two longitudinally extending rows 66, 68 locatedwith a vertical distance VD from one another. Purely by way of example,the vertical distance V0 may be within the range of 20-30 mm. Thus,prior to attaching the second attachment panel 38 to the secondstructure 20, a person performing the attachment method, i.e. a fitter,can firstly determine which ones of the openings along the longitudinaldimension L of the at least two longitudinally extending rows 66, 68 touse for the bolt connection. This determination is generally based onthe fact that a minimum longitudinal misalignment between the first andsecond attachment panels 26, 38 generally is desired. Then, the fittercan select which one of the at least two longitudinally extending rows66, 68 to use for the bolt connection. This selection is based on thedesired stiffness, and possibly also a desired pretension, of theattachment arrangement 16. As such, should the fitter decide to use theopenings in the first row 66 of openings, a less stiff attachmentarrangement 16 is obtained as compared to the second row 68 of openings.Thus, the fitter may adjust the stiffness and/or pretension of theattachment arrangement during the attachment of the same. Should thefitter want to place the attachment portion 40 of the second attachmentpanel 38 in such a position that a large stiffness, or even apretension, of the attachment arrangement 16 is obtained, the fitter maypreferably utilize a tensioning device (not shown) in order to place theattachment portion 40 of the second attachment panel 38 in a desiredposition. Purely by way of example, such a tensioning device may be ajack or an electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically driven linearactuator.

It should be noted that although the stiffness and pretension adjustmentabove has been performed by selecting suitable openings in the chassisframe 20, the method could of course also be used reversely such thatsecond attachment panel 38 is firstly attached to the chassis frame 20and the first attachment panel 26 is then attached to the body frame 18.In this case, the body frame 18 is preferably provided with a pluralityof openings in at least two longitudinally extending rows (not shown).

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate an alternative method of obtaining adesired stiffness and/or pretension of the inventive attachmentarrangement 16. As for the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, theembodiment of the attachment method illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10Butilizes the FIG. 6 embodiment of the present invention as an example,but it should be realized that the illustrated embodiment of theinventive method may be used for every possible embodiment of theattachment arrangement of the present invention.

FIG. 10A illustrates the attachment arrangement 16 in a conditionwherein the second attachment panel 38 already has been attached to thechassis frame 20 and the first and second attachment panels 26, 38 areconnected to one another such that they engage. FIG. 10A furtherillustrates that a tightenable connection means 30, which in FIG. 10Aand 10B is illustrated by a bolt connection, has been introduced throughopenings (not shown) in the first attachment portion 28 and the bodyframe 18 but the bolt 30 has not yet been tightened. The bolt connection30 is illustrated by one single bolt in FIG. 10A but a bolt connection30 could of course be constituted by a plurality of bolts. As may begleaned from FIG. 10A, the first attachment panel 26 is bent so that afirst angle oci between the first attachment portion 28 and the firstflanged portion 32 is obtained. The angle is generally in the planedefined by the attachment vertical V3 and attachment transversal T3dimensions.

FIG. 10B illustrates the attachment arrangement 16 when the bolt 30 hasbeen tightened to the body frame 18 and first attachment portion 28,respectively. As may be gleaned from FIG. 10B, a second angle α2 betweenthe first attachment portion 28 and the first flanged portion 32 hasbeen obtained and the second angle α2 is typically larger than the firstangle θ|. As such, during the tightening of the bolt 30, the firstattachment panel 26, and in particular the first flanged portion 32, hasbeen imparted an initial deflection. Generally, the magnitude of theinitial deflection will govern the stiffness, as well as a possiblepretension, of the attachment arrangement 16. As such, instead of or inaddition to, adjusting the stiffness or pretension of the attachmentarrangement 16 by regulating the vertical distance between the first andsecond attachment members, the stiffness may instead be adjusted byselecting an appropriate value of the first angle oci between the firstattachment portion 28 and the first flanged portion 32 of the firstattachment panel 26 and then tightening the first attachment panel 26 tothe first structure 18 after engagement with a second attachment member24 (not shown in FIG. 10B) attached to a second structure 20.

Further modifications of the invention within the scope of the appendedclaims are feasible. As such, the present invention should not beconsidered as limited by the embodiments and figures described herein.Rather, the full scope of the invention should be determined by theappended claims, with reference to the description and drawings.

1. An attachment arrangement for attaching together a first and a secondstructure of a vehicle having a longitudinal extension and a transversalextension together forming a horizontal plane, the arrangementcomprising a first attachment member adapted to be attached to the firststructure and a second attachment member adapted to be attached to thesecond structure, at least one of the first and second attachment membercomprising a first attachment panel, the first attachment member furthercomprising a first and a second connection portion wherein, the firstattachment member comprises a recess having a recess edge such that,when the attachment arrangement is in an attachment condition, the firstand second attachment members are engaged by means of the firstattachment panel such that: said the recess edge is arranged to abutagainst at least a portion of said the second attachment member fortransferring load between the first and second attachment members in atleast one direction substantially parallel to the horizontal plane, andthe second member is arranged in the recess such that the first andsecond connection portions are located on opposite sides of the secondattachment member for transferring load between the first and secondattachment members in a direction substantially perpendicular to thehorizontal plane.
 2. The attachment arrangement according to claim 1,wherein the first attachment member comprises the first attachment paneland the second attachment member comprises a second attachment panel(38), and, when the attachment arrangement is in an attachmentcondition, the first and second attachment members are engaged by meansof the first and second attachment panels.
 3. The attachment arrangementaccording to claim 1, wherein the second attachment member comprises asecond recess in which the first member is adapted to be arranged. 4.The attachment arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the firstattachment member comprises a first attachment portion adapted to beattached to the first structure and extending in an attachmentlongitudinal dimension and an attachment vertical dimension togetherforming an attachment plane such that, when the attachment arrangementis in an attachment condition, the attachment vertical dimension issubstantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane the first attachmentmember further having an attachment transversal dimension extendingsubstantially perpendicular from the attachment plane
 5. The attachmentarrangement according to claim 4, wherein, when the attachmentarrangement is in an attachment condition, the first and secondattachment members are engaged by means of the first attachment panelsuch that they are arranged to transfer load in at least one directionsubstantially parallel to the attachment longitudinal dimension.
 6. Theattachment arrangement according to claim 4, wherein, when theattachment arrangement is in an attachment condition, the first andsecond attachment members are engaged by means of the first attachmentpanel such that they are arranged to transfer load in at least onedirection substantially parallel to the attachment transversaldimension.
 7. The attachment arrangement according to claim 1 wherein,when the attachment arrangement is in an attachment condition, the firstand second attachment members are engaged by means of the attachmentpanel such that they are arranged to transfer load in both an upward anddownward direction in a dimension substantially perpendicular to thehorizontal plane.
 8. The attachment arrangement according to claim 4,wherein the first attachment member is shaped such that the first andsecond connection portions are located at substantially the samedistance from the first attachment portion in the attachment transversaldimension.
 9. The attachment arrangement according to claim 4, whereinthe second attachment member comprises a second attachment portionadapted to be attached to the second structure, the first attachmentmember being shaped such that it comprises a third and a fourthconnection portion located at substantially the same distance from thesecond attachment portion in the attachment transversal dimension. 10.The attachment arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the firstattachment panel provides a resilient attachment of the first and secondstructures in a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontalplane.
 11. The attachment arrangement according to claim 1, wherein atleast one of the first or second attachment members is adapted to beattached to the first or second structure by means of a tightenableconnection arrangement.
 12. A vehicle comprising a chassis and a body,wherein the chassis and the body are attached to one another by anattachment system comprising at least one attachment arrangementaccording to claim
 1. 13. A method of attaching together a first and asecond structure of a vehicle, utilizing the attachment arrangementaccording to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a)fixedly attaching one of the first or second attachment members to thefirst or second structure; b) connecting the first and second attachmentmembers such that they engage, and c) fixedly attaching the remainingone of the first or second attachment members to the remaining one ofthe first or second structure.
 14. The method according to claim 13,wherein the first attachment member comprises an attachment portionadapted to be attached to the first structure and said the secondattachment member comprises a second attachment portion adapted to beattached to the second structure, wherein the method further comprisesthe step of selecting an appropriate distance perpendicular to the planebetween the first and second attachment portions in order to obtain apredetermined stiffness and/or pretension of the attachment arrangement,prior to the step of fixedly attaching the remaining one of the first orsecond attachment members.
 15. The method according to claim 13, whereinthe first attachment member comprises the first attachment panelcomprising an attachment portion adapted to be attached to the firststructure and a flanged portion (32), the first attachment panel forminga first angle (αi) between the first attachment portion (28) and thefirst flanged portion (32) when the attachment arrangement is in anun-attached condition, wherein the method further comprises the step ofwhen the second attachment member has been attached to the secondstructure and the first and second attachment members are connected,fixedly attaching the first attachment member to the first structure bymeans of a tightenable connection arrangement (30), such as a boltconnection, the method further comprising the step of tightening theconnection arrangement (30) such that a second angle (α2) between thefirst attachment portion (28) and the first flanged portion (32) isobtained, which second angle (α2) differs from the first angle (αi),such that the attachment arrangement becomes stiffened and/orpretensioned.